In the wintertime, your furnace quickly becomes your favorite appliance. The last thing you want is for your heating system to stop working on a freezing cold day. That is why you should take extra good care of your system.

Here are a few common heating mistakes you should avoid.

Allowing Your Heating System to Run All Day

Running your heating system at a high temperature all day can increase your energy bills and wear down your system. When you go to work during the day, remember to turn down your thermostat a few degrees. You can always turn your thermostat back up when you come home.

Forgetting to Seal Your Windows

Heat can easily escape out of your windows during the winter. This will force your heating system to work harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. That is why you should seal all of your windows with plastic wrap before the cold weather comes. 

Using Your Fireplace to Heat Your Home

If you have a fireplace, you may be thinking about using it to heat your house and turning down your thermostat. However, this actually is not a good idea. The hot air will just escape through your chimney, making your house cooler. Your furnace will then have to work twice as hard to heat your house.

Forgetting to Change the Air Filters

It is important to change your furnace's air filters at least every three months. Otherwise, they will get clogged with too much dust and prevent your system from operating efficiently. Replacing your filters only costs a few bucks and will help your heating system run properly.

Not Making Regular Inspections a Priority

Even if your furnace has never given you problems, you should still schedule a professional inspection once a year. During the inspection, an HVAC technician will thoroughly clean and inspect your furnace.

If the technician detects issues with your system, they will repair them promptly. The sooner an issue is addressed, the easier it is to fix. If you wait too long to fix an issue with your furnace, it can turn into a very expensive repair.

If you do not make these common mistakes with your heating system, you can keep it in top shape. If it has been a while since your last furnace inspection, you should contact an HVAC professional as soon as possible. If you have additional questions about your residential heating system, reach out to a local heating service.